Today’s Verse – 1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. —1 John 1:9 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… When we view our sins the same way that God does and confess them, God forgives and purifies us. Honest confession opens our hearts to the flood of heaven’s grace (Psalm 51:1-17; Psalm 103:11-14). God shares with us the sweet liberation from sin that Jesus purchased at Calvary (1 John 2:1-2). God not only forgives our sins but also purifies us of all unrighteousness. Think of purified this way: pure as if I had never sinned! We are no longer sinners, and the stain of our sin is removed. We are “holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation” because of God’s purifying grace (Colossians 1:22). So, let’s live in a way that reflects this incredible gift! My Prayer… Father, I confess my sins to you! Please forgive me for… (please verbalize to God specifically your sins to your Father in heaven.) Thank you for letting me be honest with you and share with you my frustration and my sorrow for my failures and flaws. Please liberate me from their power in my life and give me the confidence that you have not only forgiven my sins, but have also made me pure and holy, fresh and new as when I first came to Jesus. And it is in Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Sharing My Mission
Note from Jesus My Beloved Disciple, I came to earth for a divine purpose, on a mission from the Father. I was determined to complete that mission. I was committed to finishing the work the Father sent Me to do (John 4:34; 19:30). I was so passionate about My mission that I was willing to sacrifice everything to accomplish it (Philippians 2:5-11). I entered your world because I love the people of your world (Romans 5:6-11). I came to liberate people from the power of sin, death, and hell (Hebrews 2:14-15). My passionate desire is for each person to discover the grace We (Father, Son, and Spirit) long to share with them. I want each of them to find a life in Me — a life that is full of grace and rich in love (John 10:10). Before I returned to the Father, I told My disciples to embrace this same mission, My mission, as well. I sent them to reach all the people of the world (Matthew 28:18-20). Just as the Father had sent Me, I sent them, and I am now sending you (John 20:21). As you live this mission, please remember: it is a mission of love. Your mission is to save the people of your world by sharing My love for them and demonstrating that love before them (John 13:35). No matter how they receive you or treat you, don’t view the people of your world as your enemy! Liberating lost people from sin, death, and hell is your mission just as it was My mission (Luke 19:10). Always be ready to share My grace with the people of your world. Let them know the reason for your hope in Me, but do this respectfully, gently, and lovingly (1 Peter 3:15-16). Verses to Live While I could point you to many passages of Scripture that talk about your mission, I want to remind you of a very familiar one. Its truth is the foundation of My mission and must be the foundation of your mission. For God expressed His love for the world in this way: He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not face everlasting destruction, but will have everlasting life. Here’s the point. God didn’t send His Son into the world to judge it; instead, He is here to rescue a world headed toward certain destruction. (John 3:16-17) Your mission is not an obligation, a duty, you must do to fulfill some arbitrary obligation. Your mission is rooted in and empowered by love. I invite you to love the lost of this world. Follow My example in doing everything you can to help lost people find their way to the Father’s grace. I demonstrated that love through My sacrifice at Golgotha. I demonstrated that grace and power through My victory over sin, death, and hell in the resurrection. My mission was a mission of love. The apostle Paul described My love this way: When the time was right, the Anointed One died for all of us who were far from God, powerless, and weak. Now it is rare to find someone willing to die for an upright person, although it’s possible that someone may give up his life for one who is truly good. But think about this: while we were wasting our lives in sin, God revealed His powerful love to us in a tangible display—the Anointed One died for us. As a result, the blood of Jesus has made us right with God now, and certainly, we will be rescued by Him from God’s wrath in the future. If we were in the heat of combat with God when His Son reconciled us by laying down His life, then how much more will we be saved by Jesus’ resurrection life? In fact, we stand now reconciled and at peace with God. That’s why we celebrate in God through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed. (Romans 5:6-11) Response in Prayer O Lord, my God, my Savior, and my Redeemer. Thank you for calling me to participate in your divine mission to reawaken the world to your love and grace. Thank you for calling me to the people of the world the way Your Son did. I ask this in Jesus’ name.. Amen. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2025, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today’s Verse – Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. —Micah 6:8 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Sometimes we need God to make what he wants from us plain and simple to understand. I need to handle those around me justly — practicing patience and dealing with others in fairness, without partiality, and treating them as I would like to be treated. I also need to practice mercy — blessing others in need with what they don’t deserve but so greatly need. I need to walk humbly with my Abba Father, knowing that without his grace and help, I will fall short and fail. I need to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with [my] God.” I have a sneaking suspicion you need the same. My Prayer… Father, please make of me what you will. As you fashion me, please bless me as I seek to be a person of justice, mercy, and humility. I know you identify yourself as the “I AM,” known by your righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful lovingkindness. In Jesus’ name and through the power of the Holy Spirit, I seek to become more like you. I am thankful for Micah who made clear that this begins with me acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with you. Please help as I depend upon your grace and the power of the Holy Spirit to do just that! Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Matthew 7:7
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. —Matthew 7:7 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God wants us to seek his blessings. This is not because he wants to manipulate our lives, but because he longs to bless us and have us know the gifts in our lives come from him. So let’s seek his presence, his grace, and his blessing. As we do, let’s remember this promise is in a section of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount where he clearly states that a disciple obeys what God, the Scriptures, and Jesus command. In that context, we can be sure we have what we seek, ask, and knock to receive. When we love and live according to his purposes (Romans 8:28), Jesus’ promise is our assurance of the Father’s blessing and our Savior’s delight as we are empowered by the Holy Spirit. My Prayer… Dear Father, I yearn for your blessing and guidance. I need your presence and blessing in several specific areas of my life that weigh heavily on my heart… (share with God some things that are on your heart). In addition, dear Father, I need your wisdom in the following matters… Finally, dear God, please make your presence in my life very clear to me this week. I don’t doubt your love for me, but I sometimes need reassurance of your nearness as I face the challenges that lie before me. Please hear me asking for your nearness, see my search for your way in this world, and open the door to my knocking on your door of grace as I seek your blessing. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. —Proverbs 3:5-6 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Trust, by definition, can’t be half-hearted. Either it is a full trust or it is clouded with suspicion and doubt, and not authentic trust at all. As we face the everyday challenges of life and as we look for answers to deep and difficult problems, let’s put our full trust in the LORD. Let’s ask for his wisdom and guidance as we make our choices. Let’s give him praise for the good in our lives and seek his blessing for the days ahead. Why? Because he longs to bless us with life, both now and forevermore with him. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… O LORD, my LORD, I place my trust in you. Please guide me in my steps as I seek to bring you glory. Please help me with the decisions, those challenges that I face. Give me discernment as I seek to influence others and to share your grace with them. Give me the right words to say so that I can have a redemptive influence on my family, my friends, my co-workers, and those people in need of your grace that you place in my path. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 103:5
[Bless the LORD] who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. —Psalm 103:5 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Our heavenly Father is the God of new things, the God of renewal and blessing (Isaiah 43:18-21). His desire is to renew and bless us. He wants to not only bless us once with our salvation, but God desires to bless us daily. His steadfast love is new every morning as he faithfully pours out his blessings (Lamentations 3:22-23). But more than just giving us what we want, he satisfies us with good things. He brings us what we need and what truly satisfies our deepest desires with his godly good things! My Prayer… Abba Father, Almighty God, I praise you for your power, majesty, glory, faithfulness, mercy, wisdom, and grace. Thank you for blessing me with your salvation, the gift of your Holy Spirit, the blessings of your church family, the promise of a home with you, and the daily assurance of your renewing presence. You have repeatedly blessed me with good things, godly things, and renewed me with your grace. In Jesus’ name, I thank and praise you with all of my heart. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Romans 6:3-4
Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. —Romans 6:3-4 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Baptism is far more than getting wet or checking off another thing on our obedience to-do list. What saves us is God’s grace working through our faith that Jesus died, was buried, and was raised on the third day for us (1 Corinthians 15:1-5). God gave us the incredible grace (Romans 6:1,14,15) of being able to share in Jesus’ saving work through faith and experience it in baptism (Galatians 3:26-27). We die to the old way of life and bury it in the past. Those past — now dead — deeds no longer hold us. Our death to the past with Jesus is what matters most. Raised to a new life, our life is now joined to Christ, and his future becomes our own future (Colossians 3:1-4). The life we now live is to glorify God, and our destination is to live with him forever. That means the Gospel is not just something preached; it is something we experience by grace because of our faith in what Jesus has done for us! My Prayer… Thank you, Father, for raising me from death to your new life for me in Jesus. Thank you for your grace in sending Jesus. Thank you for making Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection something I not only believe but have experienced. May my life reflect your powerful grace given to me in the saving events of Christ’s Passion. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Proverbs 16:3
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. —Proverbs 16:3 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The real question behind this promise is very simple: How do I define success for my plans? The answer is very simple as well: bringing glory to God for his grace (Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14). Committing our works and plans to God means surrendering them to God’s will (James 4:15), trusting that Jesus will be glorified in them (Colossians 3:17), and recognizing that it is not in our power to properly guide our steps (Proverbs 16:9). God longs to bless us and empower us — not for our selfish ambition (James 3:16, 4:3), but for our eternal good and God’s glory (Romans 8:28-29). Like Jesus, when we commit our plans and works to the LORD, we are saying, “Not my will, Father, but yours be done!” When we do that and seek his glory, we will find true success! My Prayer… Father, I want your will to shape all of my plans. I want your glory to be my goal and the result of my plans. I have things that I want to do. However, if these plans are not for your glory, if these plans are not a blessing to my family or those over whom I have influence, then please defeat me in those plans and please guide me into other areas of blessing. I want you to be glorified in what I do. I want to go where your grace leads. I commit my ways, my plans, and my works to you and your glory, and trust that you will bring the proper success. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Romans 6:1
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? —Romans 6:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Grace doesn’t mean that we are sloppy with our sins. We have died to sin when we surrendered our lives to the Lordship of Christ. We don’t want sin, or its power, to have control over us. We don’t want to take lightly the awful cost Jesus paid to cover our sin. The apostle Paul uses the strongest language possible (“By no means!” is way too tame a translation: “God forbid!” “Unthinkable!” “Abomination!” would all be much more accurate.) As those saved by grace, we realize that sin is more than breaking a divine command. Sin is making light of Jesus’ love for us by choosing our sin over his sacrifice. Ouch! That is a startling revelation. Sin is rebelling against the Father who paid such a high price to adopt us into his family. Sin is breaking our Father’s heart because we are choosing our sin over our love for him. Finally, sin is choosing our own will rather than God’s will; a choice that leads us down a path of self-destruction. My Prayer… Father, thank you for your incomparably generous grace lavished upon me through Jesus’ death on the Cross and the salvation I have received through him. Please make my own sin abhorrent to me. Please give me a passion for holiness and a deeper appreciation of what it cost you to make me holy. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Isaiah 40:30-31
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. —Isaiah 40:30-31 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… What is your strength? Is it your youth? …your conditioning? …your wisdom? …your friends? …your experience? …your intellect? None of us can depend on our human ability. Health, wisdom, and wealth are all vulnerable to the fragility of life and circumstance. Only the LORD can ensure that we can survive the unthinkable, thrive in the mundane, and soar in good times. Let’s call upon, let’s wait upon, let’s depend upon the LORD and trust him to supply what we need to live for his glory! My Prayer… O LORD, thank you for sustaining me through the hard times in my life. Thank you for helping me soar, doing things for you that I never dreamed I could accomplish in the best of times. Father, thank you for blessing me during the everyday comings and goings of life. I depend upon you for help and strength. For every good thing in my life, I praise you and thank you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.